Plenty to see & do
The Mackay region is rich in history and local colour with a host of holiday ideas. In the hinterland, through the valley is the Leap Hotel. A coarsely kitch statue outside the pub tells the story of a century old tragedy when an Aboriginal woman threw herself and her baby over the cliff rather than lose her baby to the authorities. Close to the Leap Hotel you'll discover a fascinating world of sparkling sapphires at Harrington's Australian Gemstones.
Whether holidaying in Mackay City or further north, a visit to the Eimeo Pub is a must! Join the locals for a friendly beer in the public bar or sit in the beergarden and enjoy the majestic views of the spectacular coastline with the dolphins and the windsurfers sharing the delights of the Pacific below you.
The Natural North has many attractions to keep you entertained during your stay. During crushing season, the Farleigh Mill conducts regular tours showing the operations of a working sugar mill. And there's Farmer Merv Harris, who has a cane farm called Polstone Sugar Cane Farm, out Homebush way. Call in to the Homebush Store Pottery and Craft Gallery first opened in the early 1900s and Orchidways which is a tropical plant and orchid display featuring over 1,000 varieties of orchids and foliage plants.
For art and craft lovers, Bucasia Gardens and Gifts offers a wide selection of local pottery, dried flowers and giftware and Timber Treasures at Bucasia has regular displays of Woodturning and carving. Two hours west of Mackay are the mines at Moranbah and Dysart which offer regular tours of working coal mines.
One of the finest man-made harbours on the east coast, the Mackay Harbour is home to the world's largest bulk sugar terminal. Opened in 1933, facilities include grain, sugar and petroleum wharves, as well as serving as a departure point for the region's reef and island cruises.
The hustle and bustle of Mackay's weekend markets are a must for every visitor to the region. Chat to the stall holders who regularly display their wares at Walkers Bazaar, Mackay Showgrounds Markets, Seaforth Markets, Eungella, Finch Hatton and Bucasia. The Mackay region has any number of activities to participate in - visit Hay Point to watch Australia's coal leaving for new horizons, watch the cane burning at the sugar cane farms, fossick for sapphires and opals at the mining towns in the West and much, much more. Discover everything the region has to offer for yourself!
Australia
Mackay Region
